Belgium vs Japan, Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2018, Round-of-16: Kompany Starts for Belgium, Kagawa Returns for Japan

Hazard with the shot there which goalkeeper Kawashima palms away, constant pressure from Belgium but still no goal

Big chance that, Lukaku escapes from his marker Yoshida but the ball gets tangled up in his feet there, he can't get a shot away. That was a great cross though from Meunier.

20 minutes gone here and though Japan started well, Belgium have really got a foot in the game. Lukaku getting involved a lot more but Japanese defence has been resilient so far.

Shoji and Shibasaki double-up on Carrasco to stop the Belgian winger from posing any threat, Belgium slowly starting to find their feet here

First real threat from Belgium but the Japanese defence stood tall there, Mertens was in a good position to shoot before he was closed down, later Carrasco fouls the defender. 10 minutes gone here and it is 0-0

Japan certainly keeping the ball here, Belgium attackers not getting into the game as much as they'd like!

Japan with an early shot there, Kagawa's shot goes just wide of the goal. It had Courtois interested though! Positive intent from Japan

Belgian will kick us off, both teams are in their home kits, with Belgium playing in all red, meanwhile Japan playing in all blue!

Both the teams are on the field and we are ready with the national anthems here, kick off just minutes away now!

Welcome to Rostov-on-Don, #BEL and #JPN!

Want to watch #BELJPN live tonight? TV listings 👉 https://t.co/xliHcxWvEO#WorldCup

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) July 2, 2018

Martinez, who saw his native Spain as reigning European and world champions humbled in Brazil in 2014, used a last group game after Belgium were through to give his reserves a run out; the likes of Youri Tielemans, 21, Adnan Januzaj and Anderlecht captain Leander Dendoncker, both 23, and national skipper Eden Hazard's little brother Thorgan, beat a makeshift England 1-0.

"The so-called 'golden generation' wasn't playing today," said Martinez, trumpeting Belgium's strength in depth to come.

Japan coach Akira Nishino hopes his gamble of resting players in their previous game against Poland will bear fruit on Monday against Belgium when his side will be bidding to make it third time lucky and reach the quarter-finals.
"We have been here twice in the past in round of 16 but this is different, we haven't exhausted ourselves yet so we can create a new opportunity," Nishino told a news conference on Sunday.

The players are warming-up and its good to see Kompany back in the line-up. He provides that much more stability to the Belgian back four. Japan have a rested team and will look to take advantage of that freshness today!

Japan manager Akira Nishino has picked the same 11 players that drew 2-2 against Senegal in their penultimate group game, restoring Shinji Kagawa, Takashi Inui, Genki Haraguchi and Yuya Osako as his side target reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time after failing twice in the last 16. Nishino had been criticised for rotating his squad and for his negative tactics in Japan's 1-0 defeat by Poland in their final Group H game that saw them scrape into the second round.

Belgium central defender Vincent Kompany returned to the lineup to face Japan in their World Cup last 16 clash on Monday for his first start at the tournament after picking up a groin strain in a warm-up match a month ago. Kompany, Belgium's veteran defensive talisman, comes in for Dedryck Boyata and will be partnered by Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in a back three while playmaker Eden Hazard retains the captaincy. Romelu Lukaku is also back as the central striker, with coach Roberto Martinez recalling his biggest name players after fielding practically a reserve team in their 1-0 win over England in their final Group G game.

We have our teams for #BELJPN! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/hDFXg7n6Kg

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) July 2, 2018

Hello everyone and welcome to our live blog for the second round-of-16 clash of the day, now we have Belgium taking on Japan. They are already being hailed as the 'Golden Generation' of Belgian football but their record in major tournaments still remains a disappointment given the resources they have at their disposal. Japan meanwhile are always known to punch above their weight and will be looking to cause yet another upset today. Do join us for all the live action!